Traditional crowd pullers Abahani and Mohammedan lock horns in the second semifinal of the Modhumoti Bank Independence Cup in different surroundings at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 5:00pm today.
Gone are those days when a high volume of adrenaline rushed among the fans of the two arch rivals who packed the stands to extend full support to their favourite teams. The rivalry though has not lost its edge and the players wearing the club jerseys still put their best to come out as the winners, consequentially turning the encounters fiercely competitive. Today’s meeting between the perennial foes will be the fourth in the season and the Sky Blues hold the upper hand by winning two while the matched ended in a draw.
An extra significance will be out there as both the teams have never won the title of the tournament commemorating the independence of the country and will be eager to make it to the final.
With holders Sheikh Russel KC, favourite Sheikh Jamal KC and former champions Muktijoddha Sangsad already out of the tournament it is a glorious opportunity for the giants to reach their first final of the season. The winners will meet Feni Soccer in the final. Abahani has not crossed the semifinals of any tournament after 2011 while Mohammedan has won the title of the Super Cup last year.
Abahani’s Iranian coach Ali Akbar Pourmoslemi is ready for the high voltage encounter and said, “Whenever Abahani and Mohammedan plays it draws the attention of football arena, I am hopeful of playing a good brand of football and win the match.
“In the previous matches Abahani had some problem with my finishing but with the arrival of the Portuguese forward Suares I think the problem is resolved, I am very happy to see Suares score two goals in his debut match. I am confident that Abahani will play the best football and go through the final. There is no room for complacency as we have beaten Sheikh Jamal in the quarterfinal, this is a new match in a new day,” said Pourmoslemi.
Abahani’s regular custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel will resume his position after recovering from a viral fever while midfielder Abdul Baten Majumdar Komol is also fit to play.
Mohammedan’s Portuguese coach Jose Rui Capella Batista echoed his counterpart and showed equal confident. “We have included some new players and the team is in a better position, Abahani had been playing good football but I think it will be a competitive match.”
Midfielder Zongo Ousseni and tall defender Ubom Henry had added new life in Mohammedans attack as it is expected to be a battle between Abahani’s foreign trio forwards and Mohammedan defenders.
However, the Sky Blues’ backline remains vulnerable with a couple of unfit players and Ghanaian Samad Yussif is their only hope to thwart the Mohammedan attacks which might cost them poorly.